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We're Black and Blue All Over:

We haven't heard too much about the Detroit Lions' attempts to re-sign middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, but you wonder if his status will shake loose one way or the other this week.

The Lions are scheduled to host free agent linebacker David Hawthorne this week, notes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com. Hawthorne was a starter the past three seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and could be a backup plan to signing Tulloch. If nothing else, his visit could trigger a break in negotiations that haven't yet yielded a deal.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Richardson writes that the Lions' chances of agreeing to a long-term deal with defensive end Cliff Avril anytime soon are slim.
• Re-signing left tackle Jeff Backus was important, writes Terry Foster of the Detroit News.
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press explains the Lions' approach to free agency this season.
• The Chicago Bears have always had interest in new backup quarterback Jason Campbell, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald said that people should "get to know" new Bears receiver Brandon Marshall before judging him, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Vaughn McClure of the Tribune talks to friends about Marshall.
• Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy helped convince Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider to sign free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, tweets ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel takes a detailed look at the compensatory draft pick system and how it will be affected by the Flynn signing.
• The Packers could lose free agent defensive back/special teams captain Jarrett Bush, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with running back Lex Hilliard, who spent the past three years with the Miami Dolphins, according to Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.
• Hilliard will have a chance to win the Vikings' No. 3 running back job, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• The Vikings are still shopping for free agents, coach Leslie Frazier told Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

It appears the Green Bay Packers' success will cost them at least one prominent member of their organization. Reggie McKenzie, the director of football operations who has been a key talent evaluator for the team since 1994, is set to become the general manager of the Oakland Raiders. ESPN's Adam Schefter has the story.

McKenzie was originally hired by former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, who has been advising the Raiders on their search. He will be the second member of Packers general manager Ted Thompson's front office to be hired in a similar role elsewhere; two years ago, executive John Schneider became the Seattle Seahawks' general manager.

McKenzie had been linked to the Chicago Bears' job because of his friendship with Bears coach Lovie Smith, but it appears the Raiders swooped in first.

The Packers are also monitoring the interviews of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who has drawn interest for the head-coaching job in Kansas City and Miami. Quarterbacks coach Tom Clements was a candidate for the Penn State job, but it appears he will be staying after reports that New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will be hired.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The father of Packers guard T.J. Lang passed away Thursday, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Being the top seed in the playoffs is no guarantee of postseason success, notes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Packers cornerback Tramon Williams: "But, bottom line, Williams' hasn't been the same shut-down, no-trespassing cover man of a year ago. For the Packers to return to the Super Bowl, they may need him to be. Williams remains confident."
• Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press: "We've got a quarterback. No matter what happens Saturday night in New Orleans, no matter what unfolds in this first Lions playoff season since the last millennium, Detroit fans can say that sentence and take comfort in it."
• Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams appears to have the following plan for dealing with Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, via Carlos Monarrez of the Free Press: "But we do play very physical, and one of the things that we do is guys that are 6-5 end up being 5-5 when they get flipped over on their head. They didn't say that the rule says that the ground couldn't hurt their head. So we've got to find ways to make the ground be a part of it. We won't make helmet-to-helmet contact."
• Lions safety Louis Delmas has been silent this week as he prepares to return to the field. John Niyo of the Detroit News explains.
• Last year, the Minnesota Vikings began interviewing potential replacements for offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell before firing him. It appears they're doing the same in 2011. They have scheduled former Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant Raheem Morris for an interview Friday, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Current defensive coordinator Fred Pagac remains employed.
• Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton wants all stadium proposals from all sites in his hands by Jan. 12. More from the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com looks at four candidates for the Chicago Bears' general manager job.
• The Bears stack up well against other teams seeking general managers, writes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• The only candidate believed to have been contacted for the job is Baltimore Ravens executive Eric DeCosta, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.

Identifying connections is a good start in predicting NFL player movement.

The next step is evaluating that connection.

That thought came to mind recently while reading once again about the Seattle Seahawks' apparent interest in Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, a pending free agent who is not expected to return.

ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer first began discussing Jackson's name last month. It makes sense considering Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell held the same role with the Vikings during Jackson's entire tenure. Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com, meanwhile, reported the Seahawks have done their "due diligence" on Jackson.

No current NFL coach has more background with Jackson than Bevell. Former head coach Brad Childress is out of the game as of the moment, and former Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers is now the offensive coordinator at Boston College.

But we shouldn't assume that Bevell's familiarity would compel him to lobby for Jackson in Seattle. Childress was Jackson's champion in Minnesota, and Bevell above all else is a loyal soldier. In 2008 and 2010, relatively minor injuries prevented Jackson from starting games and required Bevell to find other alternatives. If you were an NFL coordinator, would that history move you to continue the relationship?

For argument's sake, let's say Bevell would be on board. We should still consider a bigger question: What about Seahawks general manager John Schneider?

Remember, Schneider was a member of the Green Bay Packers' front office during Jackson's first four seasons in Minnesota. One of Schneider's jobs was to evaluate Packers opponents. I have not asked Schneider his thoughts on Jackson, and discussing free agency on any level during the lockout is strictly forbidden. But if you were an NFC North evaluator and studied Jackson's game film with the Vikings, would you be eager to sign him as a free agent?

I'm not saying the Seahawks will ignore the possibility of signing Jackson. And on the NFC North blog, it's mostly irrelevant. But I do think it's important to remember that connections are a two-way street. In the case of some players, more information isn't always better.

Next week at this time, we'll be knee-deep in draft coverage. So on our final weekend before Draftapalooza (Overused suffix? Yes? No?), let's see what's on your mind. Remember, I read everything submitted to the mailbag portal, to our rollicking Facebook page and to the NFC North Twitter feed. Whether I respond is based on a complex algorithm I developed during my time in Oxford. (#slightresumeexaggeration.)

On with it:

Nathan in Phoenix writes: With Brandon Marshall in Miami, can we officially revive the Ted Ginn Jr./Cliff Avril trade talk?

Kevin Seifert: I selected this question and wrote most of the answer minutes before Miami traded Ginn to San Francisco on Friday afternoon. If the Lions were interested, they missed out. But I still think Avril-Ginn remains an interesting conversation topic. (And I don't like wasting work time.) The trade means the Lions certainly had an opportunity to grab Ginn if they wanted.

We first discussed this rumor -- and I still have no confirmation it was anything more than that -- in February. At the time, I was in favor of making the deal if I were Detroit. I didn't change my opinion, even though pass rushing is generally more valued than pass receiving in the NFL.

Ginn received a fair amount of grief in Miami, but much of it is related to his status as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2007 draft. He hasn't produced like a Top-10 pick, but it's amazing what perception means to a player's production.

Take a look at the chart to your right. Ginn caught 38 passes last season and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. If the Lions got that type of production from their No. 3 receiver, which is what Ginn would have been behind Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson, I think everyone would have been awfully pleased.

At the same time, there would have been some risk in parting with Avril after two seasons. As the chart shows, Avril has 10.5 sacks his first 28 NFL games. Those aren't exactly Reggie White numbers, but they're notable in the context of the Lions' otherwise horrendous pass defense over that stretch and suggest future growth is possible on what should be an improved defensive line this season.

If it were up to me, however, the benefit of adding a proven offensive playmaker with room to grow would outweigh the risk of giving up on a pass rusher who might or might not advance beyond five sacks on an annual basis.

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Responding to an earlier post, Lvmagicman54 wants to know why Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo wouldn't give up his 2011 first-round pick to move up this year and draft a starting-caliber safety. If the gambit doesn't work, reasons Lvmagicman54, someone else will replace him to clean up the mess.

Kevin Seifert: I understand this sentiment, which has surfaced from many Bears fans who recognize that Angelo and coach Lovie Smith have entered "Or Else" territory in their tenures. That status should put them in a mode of maximum aggressiveness, but I still don't think it should make them reckless with the Bears' future assets.

Even if they can grab a quality safety in this manner, the trade would leave the Bears short-handed in next year's draft. Assuming they gave up the 2011 pick for a second-round choice in 2010, that would leave them in a debilitating stretch of three consecutive drafts without a chance in the first round.

If the Bears were a safety away from winning the Super Bowl, it would be a smart move. But I don't think safety is an important enough position to make that claim; regardless, the Bears are more than one player away from a championship.

Let's say the Bears make such a deal and play well enough in 2010 for Angelo and Smith to keep their jobs. They'll remain employed, but with at least one more year of scraping the barrel for talent. They need to take that scenario into account as well. I can see gutting a draft for a quarterback or pass-rushing defensive end. But not for a safety.

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Rick of Grand Rapids, Mich., quotes a certain blogger as writing: "I would say that player's last name rhymes starts with an 'S', ends with an 'r' and has a 'u' in the middle." Either I am really bad at riddles or perhaps you had a few beers with lunch ... or both.

Kevin Seifert: I wish I could use that as an excuse. I wish I could claim to have concocted a riddle so complex that no one could figure it out. I wish I could claim my "delete" button was broken and/or that the "r" button is next door to the "h" button.

Alas, I have no excuse. At the time I wrote that fated sentence, I was a word that starts with "i," ends with "t" and includes "dio" in the middle.

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Jordon of Rapid City, S.D., writes: How far do you think Jimmy Clausen would have to fall before the Vikings begin seriously thinking about trading up to draft him?

Kevin Seifert: If you go by this trade value chart, which has its flaws, you see the Vikings probably would have to give up their second-round choice if they wanted to go as high as No. 20 overall for Clausen. So I'm guessing he would have to fall to the mid-20s before it becomes a reasonable possibility.

But before we get too far down that road, I'm not getting the feeling that the Vikings have a ton of interest in Clausen. When he took the field to throw last week for the first time this offseason, neither coach Brad Childress nor vice president Rick Spielman were in attendance. Instead, both Childress and Spielman traveled to Gainesville, Fla., for a weekend of activities that included working out Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

At this time of year, you have to be careful attaching too much significance to that scenario. There is always the possibility that the Vikings are trying to hide their interest. But Clausen also wasn't among the players the Vikings brought in for a private meeting at their facility earlier this month, according to reports.

Given the importance attached to drafting a quarterback in the first round, would the Vikings really pass on so many opportunities to evaluate him in order to mask their interest? If I had to guess, I would say not. It's more likely that they don't plan to draft him.

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Nick of Princeton, N.J., writes: In talking about the Packers needs. I've noticed that many people point out the obvious: LT, CB, and OLB (although I think we're just fine there). Here's the question: Why aren't too many people looking at safety for the Packers? You have a Pro Bowler in Nick Collins, you have the oft-injured Atari Bigby, and then after those two, you have Derrick Martin and the hateable Jarrett Bush. I mean looking at that group, you'd have to think that safety was a pressing need. Right?

Kevin Seifert: I guess I don't see it that way, Nick. When your concerns are mostly centered around backups, then the priority can only be so high.

It's true that Bigby missed three games last season and nine in 2008. But he's starter-quality when healthy, and unless he has a chronic condition, there's no objective reason to anticipate future injuries. Past injuries isn't enough to rearrange the Packers' draft priorities, in my opinion.

I agree the Packers could use more depth behind Collins and Bigby, but that's not as important as finding a future starter at both tackle positions and finding more pass-rushing sources.

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Via Facebook, Craig writes: In your most recent chat you stated, "I think last summer gave us all the evidence we need on [Tarvaris] Jackson and [Sage] Rosenfels." You also stated, "[Jackson] was horrendous in training camp and lost in the first preseason game. What he did after that, which is when [Brett] Favre signed, is immaterial to me. When he had the pressure of actually starting, he wasn't up to it. Nothing personal against him. I just think I'm in line with a lot of people who don't think he can play."

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't he get hurt early in camp? If that is true, then maybe that is the reason why he didn't start the first preseason game, and only went 7-15 in it. But if you look at his entire numbers in preseason (23-36, 306 yards, 3 td 0 int), a fair person wouldn't state that this is someone who can't "play." ... While I know you can't reveal sources, you can inform your readers if you have spoken to anyone on the coaching staff, or players, who don't have confidence in Jackson?

Kevin Seifert: Thanks for the questions, Craig. We'll start with the final one. I can unequivocally state I have spoken with more than a few personnel people and NFL executives who expressed strong doubt that Jackson would ever become a successful NFL starter. But don't take it from me. We saw that belief in action during the offseason.

Jackson was a restricted free agent, but to my knowledge, no NFL team showed interest. It's true that few RFAs changed teams this year. But the quarterback position is an entirely difference species. If there is someone available with potential, teams will jump. Seattle traded for San Diego's No. 3 quarterback, Charlie Whitehurst. He's never started an NFL game. Seattle's new general manager, John Schneider, had a front-seat view of Jackson's career while working for the Packers' front office.

As for last summer, you're right. Jackson did sprain his knee on the second day of camp. In the interim, Rosenfels took over working with the No. 1 offense. That's why he started against Indianapolis. I realize that it might seem hypocritical to criticize his performance against the Colts and then write off his success in the other three games, but it is what it is: He played poorly when competing for the job and much better when he had no pressure on him.

I don't want this to appear to be a personal campaign against him. I think Jackson is a pretty decent guy. But on the field, it's my opinion that he has never demonstrated the capacity to be a long-term starter in the NFL. And I'm not the only person who thinks that.

» NFC decision-makers: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)

Each Wednesday leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: decision-makers.

Chicago Bears

General manager Jerry Angelo is preparing for his ninth draft with the Bears, and his approach has changed significantly during that time period. He had a number of hits early in his career, from cornerback Charles Tillman and linebacker Lance Briggs in 2003 to receiver Bernard Berrian in 2004 to kick returner Devin Hester in 2005. But a few stumbles since then -- defensive end Dan Bazuin in 2007 among them -- have coincided with a move away from the draft focus; Angelo has gutted the 2009 and 2010 drafts to acquire veteran players. Angelo takes into account the opinion of coach Lovie Smith but has final say on the entire draft approach.

Detroit Lions

General manager Martin Mayhew emerged from the staff of former president/CEO Matt Millen with a strong understanding of the failures in that regime. Mayhew revamped the draft process, added more people to internal conversations and listens carefully to coach Jim Schwartz. It's hard to find a trend for Mayhew's thinking so early in his career, but his first draft produced nine players who saw action in 2009. At least four -- quarterback Matthew Stafford, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, safety Louis Delmas and linebacker DeAndre Levy -- will be starters at some point in 2010. Private as a player, Mayhew operates in near secrecy with the Lions.

Green Bay Packers

General manger Ted Thompson is entering his sixth draft as the Packers' top football decision-maker. All personnel men value the draft, but you would be hard-pressed to find one who puts such unequivocal faith in it as the sole avenue for stockpiling the roster. Thompson has signed only a handful of notable free agents during his tenure and none in the past three years. On the other hand, the Packers' regular starting lineup in 2009 included 18 players originally drafted by the team. Thompson lost a valued adviser in new Seattle general manager John Schneider, but he also leans on director of college scouting John Dorsey and director of football operations Reggie McKenzie.

Minnesota Vikings

Rick Spielman doesn't have the title of general manager, but as vice president of player personnel, he has run the Vikings' past three drafts. Spielman uses an intricate numbering system that places players in groups by their potential and then assigns a number -- sometimes carried out to decimal points in the ten-thousandths -- to rank each of them within that group. The approach led Spielman to choose receiver Sidney Rice over Dwayne Jarrett in 2007, among other decisions. He has also been willing to take injury and/or character risks in the first round if he's comfortable with his staff's research and evaluation.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Sun-Times details who is not expected to be in attendance when offseason workouts begin Monday.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Chargers are close to signing former Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher.

Detroit Lions

The Lions are in the process of fine-tuning their plans for next month's NFL draft.

While general manager Martin Mayhew has been extremely busy this offseason, he doesn't expect future offseasons to be as hectic.

Green Bay Packers

"Training like you play" is the phrase stressed in the Packers' weight room this offseason.

Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette looks at the rapid rise of new Seattle Seahawks general manager (and former Packers personnel man) John Schneider.

Minnesota Vikings

Former Packers defensive end Mike Montgomery is scheduled to visit the Vikings on Monday.

After being major players in free agency in recent years, the Vikings have taken their foot off the gas pedal this offseason.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- I ran into Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson as the NFL owners meeting began here Monday morning. Thompson talked to a group of us on a number of topics I'll be sprinkling into the blog over the next week. But one timely issue we broached was the already-rumored possibility he could add San Francisco general manager Scott McCloughan to the Packers' front office.

McCloughan, a former Packers scout, is on an extended leave of absence from the 49ers. Thompson said he has spoken with McCloughan recently "as a friend" but "not from a business standpoint." Technically, McCloughan remains a 49ers employee and wouldn't be able to discuss job opportunities with any team.

The Packers haven't yet filled the opening left behind by former director of football operations John Schneider, who left to become Seattle's general manager. Thompson said he wasn't certain whether the job will be filled.

"We'll see," Thompson said. "It depends on how we make it through the spring. We're functioning pretty well right now."

The full story hasn't been told of McCloughan's looming departure from San Francisco. But there is little debate in NFL circles that he is an excellent judge of talent, meaning his addition could only help the Packers moving forward.

Aaron Kampman's name was associated with a half-dozen team teams during the first 24 hours of free agency. There were reports he was headed to Philadelphia, while others suggested he could reunite with former Green Bay executive John Schneider in Seattle.

As of Saturday afternoon, however, it appears Kampman's first visit was to Jacksonville. My AFC South colleague Paul Kuharsky, he of the long weekend mailbags, notes how dire the Jaguars' need is for pass rushing.

It's been a foregone conclusion for some time that Kampman would depart the Packers, but I'm guessing there are plenty of NFC North fans who want to follow his progress through free agency. So I'll do my best to keep tabs on his plans until he finds a new team.

Chicago’s efforts to fill two coordinator positions is now the biggest story in the NFC North. Here’s where the situation stands now, based on local and national reporting:

The Bears have sought permission to interview Minnesota quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the Vikings have given permission. If the interview occurs, Rogers would be the Bears’ third interview and the sixth publicly-identified candidate for the job.

UPDATE: Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune reports Rogers will interview Thursday.

Sean Jensen of the Sun-Times suggests the Bears pursue Jim Zorn. Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago offers this suggestion: Norm Chow.

Meanwhile, there have been no reports that the Bears have interviewed anyone other than Perry Fewell for their defensive coordinator job. Fewell accepted a similar offer from the New York Giants. Bears assistant head coach/defensive line Rod Marinelli told the Chicago Tribune that he is open to any job coach Lovie Smith needs him to do, including defensive coordinator.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Minnesota might have to open the 2010 season without starting cornerback Cedric Griffin, who will soon undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune has more.
• Vikings coach Brad Childress took ultimate blame for having 12 men on the field at the end of regulation in the NFC Championship Game. John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press covers the issue.
• Detroit offensive coordinator Scott Linehan likes what he sees from Idaho guard Mike Iupati during Senior Bowl practices, according to Nicholas J. Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press.
• Indeed, writes Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com, it’s time for the Lions to stop their rotation at left guard.
• It would be a “long shot” for Green Bay to hire anyone to replace departed personnel adviser John Schneider, according to Greg A. Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy will play a key role in collective bargaining agreement discussions during Super Bowl week, writes Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel.

Chicago running back Matt Forte’s production fell during his second NFL season. Did a knee injury have something to do with it?

Forte has already undergone surgery on his left knee this offseason, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. The exact nature of the procedure wasn’t available, but it was revealed late in the season that Forte had played much of the season with a sprained medial collateral ligament.

Typically, that injury isn’t treated with surgery. Assuming that’s the case here, Forte’s surgery was to address another issue.

Forte rushed for 929 yards this season, down about 25 percent from his yardage total as a rookie in 2008.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• We’re getting close to crunch time for the Bears’ offensive coordinator job, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago. San Diego assistant Rob Chudzinski is in town for an interview.
• It’s time for Minnesota tailback Adrian Peterson to step up in the NFC Championship Game, writes Mark Craig of the Star Tribune. New Orleans has had spotty run defense this season.
• The Vikings would have full confidence if this game comes down to field goal kicking, writes John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Placekicker Ryan Longwell had an NFL-best 92.9-percent conversion rate.
• Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is into Hank Williams Jr.’s music … and Poison’s as well. Solid.
• Former Green Bay executive Andrew Brandt, writing for the National Football Post, on John Schneider’s move to Seattle as general manager: “The role of a general manager is so much more than picking players. He has to build consensus and communicate freely and effectively with all members of the football operation. John will do that well. Mark my words, John Schneider will be a star in the Northwest.”
• Former Detroit assistant Joe Cullen -- yes, that Joe Cullen -- could surface as an assistant in Jacksonville. AFC South maestro Paul Kuharsky has the story.

One of Detroit’s more pleasant offseason dilemmas is dealing with the relative surplus of linebackers on its roster. As Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press points out, the Lions have the opportunity to at least consider jettisoning some high-priced veterans in favor of some genuine young talent.

The Lions spent most of the season with veterans Ernie Sims, Julian Peterson and Larry Foote as their starters. But Foote will be a free agent and Peterson is scheduled to make a relatively excessive $7.5 million in 2010. Sims, meanwhile, spent part of the season battling injuries -- and fending off rookie DeAndre Levy for a starting position.

Levy figures to start somewhere in 2010, most likely at Foote’s position. Rookie Zack Follett also showed some potential. Bringing back Foote and Peterson certainly wouldn’t hurt the team, but the opportunity exists for the Lions to shift those financial assets elsewhere if they wish.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The average secondary purchase ticket price for the NFC Championship Game is $800, according to the Star Tribune.
• Minnesota hasn’t forgotten that New Orleans running back Reggie Bush returned two punts for touchdowns in the teams’ matchup last season at the Superdome. Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune has more.
• At least Fran Tarkenton is consistent. The Hall of Fame quarterback told Bloomberg News that he still doesn’t like seeing quarterback Brett Favre in a Vikings uniform. “[I]t didn’t sit well with me and it still doesn’t,” he said.
• Gaines Adams’ family is still coming to grips with his death, writes Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
• Bears players, coaches and front-office members will ride a private plane to Adams’ funeral Friday, writes Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Green Bay will especially miss John Schneider in the area of college scouting, writes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Schneider is Seattle’s new general manager.
• Schneider may try to bring some other Packers employees with him to Seattle, according to Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

John Schneider had a reputation as a personable and knowledgeable consensus-builder in Green Bay’s front office, a skill he’ll put to good use as Seattle’s new general manager. Schneider’s hiring was reported Tuesday morning by ESPN.com.

Schneider has a background in both scouting and as an administrator, and with the Seahawks he’ll have to balance the needs of the personnel department with the assumed power of new coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks claim that Carroll won’t have full autonomy, but let’s face it: They’re not paying him $7 million per season to acquiesce to a power-hungry general manager.

The trick to working with a highly successful college coach like Carroll, one used to running his own program, is to lead him into making the right organizational decisions. From what I know of and about Schneider, he is well-equipped to be that sort of subtle guiding hand.

The Packers will be hard-pressed to replace those skills in their front office, but Schneider has been on the radar of several teams before the Seahawks hired him. I’m sure general manager Ted Thompson knew it was only a matter of time before Schneider got a promotion elsewhere.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Greetings from University of Phoenix Stadium, where players are just starting to walk on the field for pregame warmups. Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin isn’t one of them, however. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Boldin (knee, ankle) is unlikely to play.

One Packers note to pass along: ESPN’s John Clayton reports that Green Bay director of football operations John Schneider is under consideration for the Seahawks general manager job, presumably under new coach/president Pete Carroll. Other candidates include Pittsburgh executive Omar Kahn and New York Giants college scouting director Marc Ross.

New Cleveland president Mike Holmgren spoke highly Monday of a Green Bay executive who could be on his list of candidates to be the Browns’ new general manager.

Speaking with Cleveland-area reporters, Holmgren said that Reggie McKenzie, one of the Packers’ directors of football operations, could be a candidate. Another possibility is John Schneider, the Packers’ other director of football operations.

Asked specifically if he would interview McKenzie as part of the NFL’s requirement to consider minority candidates for such jobs, Holmgren said: “I think Reggie McKenzie is a good man and a good friend. I’ve been doing this for a long time and I think I have made a lot of good friends and know a lot of good people in this league. By rule, we really can’t get started on any of this stuff until the final regular season game. At which point, obviously we will comply with the ‘Rooney Rule’ and interview African-American candidates as part of the process. … Reggie would certainly be in that category.”

Holmgren made clear he hasn’t yet spoken with McKenzie or any other candidate for the job. Another Packers executive whose name has been mentioned prominently is director of football operations John Schneider.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Martin Mayhew seemed prepared for the question. Detroit's new general manager was more than ready to address concerns about his apprenticeship in the failed tenure of predecessor Matt Millen.

"I would say this: Judge me by what I do," Mayhew said, "and don't judge me by who my friends are or how I got here. Judge me by my actions. To me, at the end of the day, that's what it's about. It's what happens here."

	AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
	There is a lot riding on who Martin Mayhew and the Lions select with their No. 1 pick.

Mayhew spoke those words in January. Three months later, Judgment Day has arrived. Mayhew's clean slate, assuming you gave him one, is about to receive its most significant etch. He has directed the Lions to an internal decision on whom to select with the No. 1 overall pick in Saturday's draft, and while the choice has yet to be revealed publicly, it will forever define his career in Detroit.

A good decision will jumpstart the Lions' resurgence. A poor choice, or even one that goes awry for reasons unforeseen today, will cement his connection to Millen and dig an even greater hole for the franchise.

Consider the shining moment in the career of Indianapolis general manager Bill Polian: Choosing quarterback Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 draft. Polian already had built a strong reputation by then, but the success of his decision catapulted him to at least 11 more years of employment with the Colts.

On the other hand, can you even name the general manager who selected quarterback Alex Smith with the top pick in 2005? (San Francisco coach Mike Nolan made the final decision.) What about the man who drafted defensive end Courtney Brown in 2000? (Cleveland general manager Dwight Clark.)

Such polarity prompted Polian to offer some sobering advice earlier this winter. Asked what he would say to Mayhew as the Lions contemplate their options at No. 1, Polian said: "Pray a lot. And recognize that you can't be right [all the time]. You're going to be wrong 50 percent of the time."

(Read full post)